19 Apr 2017

Liverpool youngster Allan Rodriguez De Souza is currently on a season-long loan at Hertha Berlin, and despite struggling to maintain a first team place, the German club is seemingly keen to keep the Brazilian at the club.

When asked on Tuesday about Allan, Hertha Berlin general manager Michael Preetz told German magazine Kicker:

"I can imagine in principle a new loan agreement [for next season] but first, we must have talks with Liverpool."

Allan - who has made only 11 appearances for HB this season - signed for Liverpool in 2015, and since then, he's been perennial on loan due to his inability to secure a UK work permit. Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is desperate to have him in the squad, though, and in March 2016, he enthused:

"I saw him in training and thought ‘oh my God - what can we do to bring him into the line-up? He will be a fixed part of the squad in the future, for sure".

"He [Allan] is an outstanding talent. He's a good player with a good attitude, and everybody loves him.”

Allan also has his eye on the prize, and in November, he told insisted:

"My goal remains to play for Liverpool. We'll see what happens if I don't get the number of games need to qualify for a work permit".

Unfortunately, it will be hard for Allan to get a work-permit. Recently updated FA rules stipulate that permits will only be granted to non-EEA players if:

* The player is 'internationally established at the highest level'.

* Employment will make a 'significant contribution to the development of the sport at the highest level'.

Allan - Described by SJK boss Simo Valakari as an 'unbelievable talent' - has never played for Brazil 'at the highest level', so until that happens, it looks like he'll be stuck out on loan.

Of course, that's not necessarily a bad thing - Allan is still only 19, so it's good for him to learn his trade and play regular football at a competitive level. In fact, it's arguably preferable for Allan to stay out on loan until he's at least 21, and then return to Liverpool with a wealth of first-team experience.